Spike & Mike’s Festival of Animation: The 30th anniversary showcase of short films will include highlights from the fest’s past three decades; Friday and Saturday nights, through March 22; Museum of Contemporary Art, 700 Prospect St., La Jolla; (858) 459-8707,

Buffalo Soldiers in Story and Song: Oceanside Public Library presents storyteller/singer Victoria Burnett in her solo-show on the history and heroics of the all-black U.S. army corps that was founded after the Civil War, focusing on the lives of three real-life buffalo soldiers (including a woman, Cathay Williams); 1 p.m. Feb. 23; Community Rooms, 330 N. Coast Highway, Oceanside; free; (760) 435-5600,

“Fox on the Fairway”: Braodway Theater in Vista will hold auditions for this comedy by Ken Ludwig; 6 to 10 p.m. Feb. 25; Broadway Theater, 340B E. Broadway, Vista; show runs March 22 through April; details at

“Monty Python’s Spamalot”: Broadway Theater in Vista will hold auditions for this zany musical based on the film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail”: 3 to 9 p.m. March 10; 6 to 10 p.m. March 11; Broadway Theater, 340B E. Broadway, Vista; show runs June 7-23 at the Welk Resorts Theatre in Escondido; details at

“Helen Keller”: Village Church Community Theater presents this biographical play about the young woman who triumphed over her disabilities; 7:30 p.m. March 7, 8 and 9; 6225 Paseo Delicias, Rancho Santa Fe; (858) 756-2441.

“The Trip to Bountiful”: New Village Arts presents Horton Foote’s play about an elderly widow who returns to her hometown for the for the last time, starring award-winning San Diego actress Sylvia M’Lafi Thompson; 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays; 3 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays; through March 3; New Village Arts, 2787 State St., Carlsbad; $22-$33;

Artbeat on Main Street: An exhibit of mixed-media works inspired by Morocco by Rachel Pearsey is featured as part of the gallery’s new “Vista Loves Art” campaign; hours, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays; 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturdays; 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays; 330 Main St., Vista;

Escondido Public Library Gallery: The Escondido Art Association presents a solo exhibit and sale of watercolors, acrylics and pastels by its artist of the month, Rosemarie Woldin, in the library’s gallery from March 1 throuth 31; 239 S. Kalmia St., Escondido;

Foundry Studios at New Village Arts: “Finding Home, The Trip to Bountiful, an exhibit of works by resident artists inspired by New Village’s theatrical production of “The Trip to Bountiful,” opens Saturday and runs through March 3; reception, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Saturday; 2787 State St., Carlsbad; (760) 433-3245,

Lux Art Institute: The work of Spanish-born U.S. sculptor Carlos Vega is on exhibit through Feb. 28; Lux showcases the work of artists in residence, arts education and site-specific installations; hours, 1 to 5 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays; 1550 S. El Camino Real, Encinitas; $5, adults over 21, good for two visits during same residency; free to 20 and under; 760-436-6611 or

Oceanside Museum of Art: “Synesthesia: Manifestations of Energy, Paintings by Ellen Salk and Sound by Christopher Adler” runs through May 5; “James Hubbell Sculpture,” an exhibit of 50 works by the Santa Ysabel architect/artist, runs through June 2; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays; 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays; 704 Pier View Way, Oceanside; $8, general; $5, seniors; free, students and military (and dependents) with ID; museum is free to all on Tuesdays; 760-435-3720 or